If you had asked me a year ago about outdoor activities, I probably would have laughed and told you I wasn’t interested. These days I talk about the outdoors so much on my blog that I may be wearing out my audience—because I’ve fallen in love with it.
I love the outdoors now. I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, mountains, and camping. The natural landscapes in the United States are stunning, and national parks and recreation areas offer so many rewarding experiences.
When I learned that an annual parks pass—covering both of us—costs just $80, I knew we had to buy one. It’s not the cheapest purchase you can make, but if you plan to visit several national parks in a year, the value can be excellent.
How the annual park pass saves us money
In 2014 we visited multiple national parks and federal recreation areas: Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and several others. If we’d paid individual entrance fees at each site, our total would have been well over $100. Instead, we purchased an annual park pass.
Having the pass lets us take many trips throughout the year without paying entrance fees each time. We can enjoy unlimited hikes, spectacular scenery, and mountain summits with one pass. Since we also use credit card rewards to help cover travel costs, our getaways are more affordable and more frequent.
The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and is a great deal—especially if you live near national parks or plan to visit them often. We still had more than half a year left on our pass and planned to use it many more times.
I recommend this pass to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The United States has countless beautiful places to explore, and an annual pass makes accessing them easier and more economical.
What the America the Beautiful annual pass covers
The America the Beautiful annual pass grants admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. It covers the pass holder and all passengers in a single private vehicle at sites that charge a per-vehicle fee. For seniors, there’s even a lifetime pass available for a one-time $10 fee.
Purchasing the pass is straightforward: you can buy one at most park entrances by paying the fee at the ranger station or entrance kiosk. The process usually takes just a few minutes and requires minimal information, so it’s quick and convenient.
What’s the best thing you’ve bought recently? Has it saved you money?
Do you own an America the Beautiful annual park pass?